Needle breast biopsy system and method for use

ABSTRACT

A tilted needle biopsy assembly is provided for mounting on an x-ray system. Because the biopsy needle is angled relative to at least one of the detector and the x-ray source, x-ray imaging may be performed during the biopsy procedure without interference by the biopsy device. The angled biopsy needle additionally allows improved access to the axilla and chest wall of the patient. The stereotactic biopsy device of the present invention may be coupled to any x-ray system, whether upright or prone, including but not limited to mammography systems, tomosynthesis systems, and combination mammography/tomosynthesis systems. The system flexibly supports the use of any mode of image capture (i.e., scout, two dimensional mammogram, three-dimensional reconstructed volume) for either or both target visualization and target localization. With such an arrangement, a needle biopsy assembly having improved patient coverage is provided for use with a variety of different x-ray imaging platforms.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 1.119(e) to provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/249,772 filed Oct. 8, 2009, incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mammography is a well-established method of breast imaging which may be used for breast cancer screening and diagnosis. Screening mammograms are preferably obtained annually for female members of the population over the age of forty, or those having a genetic risk of breast cancer. Should masses or calcifications (‘regions of interest’) be identified during a screening mammogram, the patient may require further diagnosis. Such diagnosis may involve biopsying the region of interest and analyzing excised tissue.

Various imaging modalities have historically been used during breast biopsies. The imaging modalities include ultrasound imaging, x-ray imaging and magnetic resonance imaging. Performing a breast biopsy typically involves positioning the patient, visualizing the region of interest using the imaging equipment, targeting coordinates of the region and retrieving cells or tissue from the targeted region. Cells or tissue may be retrieved in a variety of ways, including through open surgery, fine needle aspiration, core needle biopsy or vacuum assisted biopsy. Open surgery, the most invasive procedure, is generally performed by a radiologist placing a wire into the breast during visualization of the region of interest, where the wire extends into the region that is to be excised. The patient is then transferred to surgery and tissue is retrieved using the wire to locate the region of interest.

Fine needle aspiration, core needle biopsies and vacuum assisted biopsies are less invasive than open surgery, allowing cells and tissue to be obtained without the need for open surgery. All are needle biopsies, with the size of the needle, and thus the corresponding size (and number) of the biopsied samples, being differentiators. In each procedure the patient is positioned, the region of interest is visualized, the needle of the biopsy device is advanced to the target region of interest and the tissue is retrieved. Fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsy devices typically retrieve one tissue sample and their advancement to the target may be monitored using an imaging modality such as ultrasound. Vacuum assisted biopsy devices generally have larger needles and can extract multiple cores.

X-ray imaging in stereotactic mode is generally used for breast biopsies because it is desirable to visualize and target regions in a three dimensional volume. Stereotactic biopsies obtain volume information using x-ray images taken in at least two planes. The x-ray images are then processed to localize a target region of interest in three-dimensional space using the principal of parallax to determine the depth, or Z dimension, of the target region.

U.S. Patent Application 2008/0045833, filed Feb. 21, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference, describes systems and methods for using tomosynthesis for lesion localization during breast biopsy. Tomosynthesis (tomo) is a method of performing three dimensional (3D) breast x-ray imaging. It generates images of cross sectional slices through a compressed breast, and also is used to identify breast pathologies. One of the advantages of tomosynthesis is that the images are three-dimensional so that once an area of interest is identified in an image its exact 3D coordinate in the breast can be calculated or estimated, e.g. from the x, y coordinate in the image of a slice and from the z, or depth, coordinate given by the image slice depth location. Another advantage of tomosynthesis is its ability to provide high contrast visibility of objects by the suppression of images from objects at different heights in the breast. Because of its superior contrast visibility, it is expected that there will be pathologies seen on the tomo images that will not be visible using standard x-ray mammography, stereotactic devices, ultrasound or even MRI. For this reason, it is desired to develop localization methods using tomosynthesis systems that utilize tomosynthesis' natural 3D localization abilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention a stereotactic needle biopsy assembly is provided for mounting between an x-ray source and a detector of an x-ray imaging system. The stereotactic assembly includes a mounting arm for supporting a biopsy device at an angle offset from normal to a plane of defined by the detector. In some embodiments, the assembly may also include a lateral side arm permitting lateral access to the breast. The stereotactic needle biopsy assembly includes a guidance module for motorized guidance of the biopsy device to a target location during a biopsy for excising tissue. Because the biopsy needle is angled relative to the detector, x-ray imaging may be performed during the biopsy procedure without interference by the biopsy device. In addition the angled biopsy needle allows improved access to the axilla and chest wall of the patient.

In one embodiment the needle biopsy assembly includes a motor or equivalent mechanism enabling automatic advancement of the biopsy device towards an identified biopsy target location. The system advantageously additionally includes mechanisms enabling manual advancement of the device. The system permits the user to define stop locations along the biopsy path to the target, for transitioning between automated and manual control.

In one embodiment the needle biopsy assembly may include a control module, mounted on the needle biopsy assembly, the control module enabling the medical personnel to control the automated movement of the device towards the target without leaving the patient. The control module in some embodiments may display information related to the biopsy procedure, such as the relative locations of the needle and the target. The control module may also provide visible or audible warnings to the user, for example to warn of proximity of the needle to the chest wall, the breast platform, or other undesirable position. In one embodiment the control buttons of the control module are arranged to preclude unintended advancement of the biopsy device.

The stereotactic biopsy device of the present invention may be coupled to any x-ray system, whether upright or prone, including but not limited to mammography systems, tomosynthesis systems, and combination mammography/tomosynthesis systems. The system flexibly supports the use of any mode of image capture (i.e., scout, two dimensional mammogram, three-dimensional reconstructed volume) and any combination of two dimensional or three dimensional image data for either or both target visualization and target localization. With such an arrangement, a needle biopsy assembly having improved patient coverage is provided for use with a variety of different x-ray imaging platforms.

In particular such an assembly may easily be integrated into a tomosynthesis imaging system. Such a tomosynthesis system could be readily adapted to provide automated stereotactic image capture for use with the needle biopsy assembly by capturing tomo projection images at desired stereotactic angles. Such a system has the added advantage of reducing patient exposure because tomosynthesis projection images are generally obtained at lower dose than conventional mammograms and therefore stereotactic volume information (for use in visualization or targeting) can be obtained at reduced dosage. These and other advantages will be described in further detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates an x-ray imaging system which may advantageously incorporate the needle biopsy assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the needle biopsy assembly of the present invention with a mounted biopsy device;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrates a portion of an x-ray system on which the needle biopsy assembly of the present invention is mounted and is used to illustrate how the angular tilt of the biopsy device reduces interference during x-ray imaging;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the needle biopsy assembly of the present invention, illustrating in more detail the angular tilt of the biopsy device support arm;

FIG. 5 is a top down view of the needle biopsy assembly of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate compression paddles which may advantageously be used with the needle biopsy assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side of a compression paddle which may be used with the needle biopsy assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an image capture at the acquisition workstation interface, wherein the entire detector is visible through the radiolucent compression paddle;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps that may be performed during a biopsy using the needle biopsy assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary view of a user interface of the control unit of the needle biopsy assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary view of a user interface of an acquisition work station including functional modules and displays supporting and related to the needle biopsy assembly of FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate views of an embodiment of the needle biopsy assembly with a lateral biopsy arm attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Breast tomosynthesis systems generally include an x-ray source mounted on a rotatable arm of a gantry and an x-ray detector positioned generally normal to the x-ray source when the x-ray source is at zero position. During tomosynthesis image acquisition, the x-ray source is rotated over a limited angular range. At various points in the x-ray source trajectory the source is activated and an image is captured by the detector. Each image captured at each point is referred to as a projection image. Computer programs are used to reconstruct a three dimensional volume from the projection images and the three dimensional volume is used for lesion detection. One example of an x-ray imaging system capable of mammographic and tomosynthesis imaging and which may be adapted to incorporate the present invention is shown in FIG. 1.

The mammography/tomosynthesis system is shown to include an acquisition work station (AWS) 4 and gantry 1 supporting an x-ray imaging assembly 2. Such a mammography/tomosynthesis system is currently available from the common assignee under the trade name Selenia Dimensions, and is representative of merely one x-ray system on which the needle biopsy assembly 10 of the present invention may be mounted. The gantry 1 supports a C-arm that can move up or down along the gantry to a selected height, driven by motor(s) controlled by a health professional operating the system. C-arm carries an x-ray tube 2 a at an upper end and a breast tray 2 b at a lower end. Tray 2 b covers a flat panel x-ray image receptor 2 c, spaced from the tray by a focused anti-scatter grid 2 d (which may be retractable so that it can be removed from the space between tray 2 b and receptor 2 c). The C-arm also carries a compression paddle 2 e that is between source 2 a and breast tray 2 b and is motorized to move away from tray 2 b so a patient's breast can fit between tray 2 b and paddle 2 e, and closer to tray 2 b so the patient's breast can be compressed and immobilized. The movement of paddle 2 e is motorized and controlled by the health professional. Paddles 2 e of different size and different configurations can be fitted on the gantry to suit different breast sizes or to suit imaging needs (i.e., for screening or diagnosis). In addition, the health professional can move paddle 2 e along the width of tray 2 b to a position in which paddle 2 e matches the position of a breast that is not centered on tray 2 b, as in the Selenia system currently offered by the common assignee. The system further includes other components, such as a control station 4 comprising interface devices such a keyboard 4 a and trackball 4 b, a display screen 4 c, and control and image processing facilities.

According to one aspect of the invention a needle biopsy assembly 10 may easily be mounted in between the x-ray source and the x-ray detector of the imaging system 2. Unlike previous needle biopsy assemblies, the needle biopsy assembly of the present invention utilizes all of the existing components of the x-ray system, including the compression device and the x-ray detector. As a result, it can be appreciated that the needle biopsy assembly is a low cost solution which makes upright needle biopsy capability available to a variety of current x-ray imaging platforms.

FIG. 2 illustrates the needle biopsy assembly 10 in more detail. Support bracket 21 extends between handles 23 a and 23 b, which facilitate transport of the assembly. Guidance module 19, mounted on support bracket 21, includes components for controlling the movement of the biopsy device 15. The biopsy device may be, for example, an Eviva™ vacuum assisted biopsy device manufactured and sold by Hologic, Inc. Fixed support arm 17 extends from the guidance module to connector 31. In one embodiment connector 31 connects angular support arm 12 to the fixed support arm 17 at a fixed angle. Alternative embodiments which include adjustment mechanisms for varying the angle of displacement between the angular support arm and the fixed support arm may be substituted herein as equivalents. Holster mount 35 is moveably coupled to the support arm. The linear movement may be mechanically controlled (i.e., via the guidance module and associated motors) and/or may be manually controlled using either or both of the thumbwheel knobs 33 a and 33 b. The holster mount 35 includes an attachment mechanism 36 that is adapted to receive biopsy holster 13. The biopsy device 15 sits within the biopsy holster 13. A needle support 11 may advantageously be coupled to the holster mount for needle stabilization. A control module 25 may be mounted to either of the handles, 23 b or 23 a via clamp 36. In various embodiments, each handle may include one or more electrical connectors which enable communication between the clamped control module 25 and the guidance module 19, and the medical professional may move the control module to either handle as a matter of preference. The control module 25 includes a user interface that enables a medical professional to control the biopsy procedure without the need to leave the patient. The control module includes a display 28 for displaying a status or other information about the biopsy, and one or more buttons 27 for controlling the movement of the biopsy device during the procedure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the needle biopsy assembly 10 mounted on a gantry of an x-ray imaging system. Various embodiments of the needle biopsy assembly may be used with either an upright or prone imaging system, for the purposes of this application an embodiment for use with an upright breast tomosynthesis imaging system such as the Dimensions™ Breast Tomosynthesis imaging system provided by Hologic, Inc.) is described. An exemplary tomosynthesis imaging system may include a tube head 32 supporting a cone beam or other x-ray source, and a compression platform 30 encasing an x-ray detector. The tube head 32 is rotatably mounted on a gantry (not shown) to enable the tube head to rotate in along an angular trajectory generally designated by the dashed line 41 in FIG. 3B.

In one embodiment the needle biopsy assembly 10 includes clamps, hooks or other attachment means for mounting the needle biopsy assembly to the gantry of the tomosynthesis imaging system. Advantageously the clamps are mated to features of the gantry that support other attached devices (such as face shields and the like) although such reuse is not a requirement.

In the example of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the holster 13 is coupled to the holster mount on the a fixed angle arm 12, and the fixed angle arm 12 is fixedly mounted on the support arm 17 at an angle offset from normal by 10 degrees, although it is readily appreciated that the offset angle may vary and is largely a matter of design choice. Angling the arm 12 (and by consequence the biopsy device 15) allows the biopsy device to be advanced to a desired location within a biopsy target area (indicated generally by the target area 50) without the biopsy device and holster introducing artifacts into the x-ray image. As shown in FIG. 3B, the cone beam x-ray source will extend into the target area 50, but the device 15 does not fall within the cone beam. It should be noted that although a 10 degree fixed angle is disclosed, the present invention is not limited to any particular fixed angle and it is appreciated that the selected fixed angle may differ in response to particular geometries of the imaging systems and tissue removal tools. In a broadest sense, the present invention encompasses the idea of angling a biopsy needle to limit the introduction of visual artifacts caused by the needle during x-ray imaging.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a needle biopsy assembly of the present invention. In FIG. 4, line A is within a plane that is ‘normal’ to the plane of the x-ray detector 30. Line B illustrates the angular displacement of the biopsy device, and therefore the device is offset from the normal by an angular measure of 0. As a result the biopsy device will interfere with biopsy imaging.

Also shown in more detail in FIG. 4 are exemplary coupling mechanisms 50 a and 50 b of the needle biopsy assembly 10. The coupling mechanisms 50 a and 50 b are adapted to mate with complementary features of the gantry. Other types of coupling mechanisms, including latches, hooks, slots and the like may be readily substituted herein as equivalents.

FIG. 5 is a top down view of the exemplary embodiment of the needle biopsy assembly, shown with only a subset of components labeled for ease of reference. When viewing the needle biopsy assembly from this perspective, the displacement N of the needle tip which results from the angular tilt of the biopsy device is readily apparent. This view best illustrates the ability of this device to biopsy areas of the breast (such as the axilla tissue and tissue near the chest wall) which were previously difficult to access using prior art stereotactic devices.

FIGS. 6A through 6C illustrate various compression paddles which may be used with the present invention. In contrast to prior art needle biopsy compression paddles, which were generally fabricated of radio-opaque material having an opening therethrough for accepting the biopsy needle, the compression paddles 62A-62C are preferably radiolucent. Slots 64 a and 64 b are positioned to enable the compression paddle to be removably coupled to the compression device of the x-ray imaging system, allowing the paddles to easily be exchanged with the mammography/tomosynthesis paddles used for breast cancer screening. The biopsy compression paddles may be manufactured in different sizes to be used for different sized breasts, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C. An opening 66 is provided in each biopsy compression paddle. The opening enables the portion of the breast associated with the target to be exposed. As shown in FIG. 7, the portion 68 of the compression paddle 62 a that surrounding the opening 66 is shaped to increase the compression on the portion of the breast being biopsied, thereby stabilizing the biopsied area.

One advantage of using the radiolucent breast compression paddle is that it allows full view of the detector; in prior art needle biopsy arrangement, only a portion of the detector associated with target localization was visible. This was sufficient because prior art biopsies were only performed on that portion of the tissue which was immediately below the opening in the compression paddle. However, the tilted needle of the present invention increases the amount of tissue that is available for biopsy beyond the border of the compression paddle opening—the needle in fact has the reach N shown in FIG. 5. Thus, as mentioned above, axilla tissue and tissue close to the chest wall can more readily be excised during biopsy.

FIG. 8 illustrates a 2D image of a breast taken with a radiolucent biopsy paddle such as those shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown in FIG. 8, one advantage of the radiolucent compression paddle is that the entire detector image may be viewed at the acquisition workstation interface; the radiologist is no longer limited in their access to information. As a result, the radiologist may see that portions of a lesion 80 extend beyond the compression paddle opening 66. This portion of the breast can be accessed using the tilted biopsy needle assembly of the present invention to ensure that all tissue is accessed for proper diagnosis.

Exemplary needle biopsy assemblies such as that described above may be generally used as follows. A patient who has been identified as a candidate for biopsy is positioned at the x-ray imaging system. At step 91 the biopsy compression paddle moves down towards the compression platform, compressing the patient's breast, and the process of visualizing the lesion is initiated at step 92. As mentioned briefly above, depending upon the capabilities of the x-ray imaging system, visualization of the lesion may be performed using a scout image, a mammogram, acquired stereotactic images, acquired tomosynthesis projection images, tomosynthesis reconstructed images, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, an x-ray imaging system having tomosynthesis capabilities may be adapted to include a ‘stereotactic mode’, which, when selected, causes the x-ray imaging system to automatically retrieve the typical +/−15 degree stereotactic images and performs appropriate imaging processing on the stereotactic images to derive a stereotactic volume. One advantage of such an embodiment is that patient exposure may be reduced in tomosynthesis systems which use lower doses during projection image acquisition.

Once the lesion has been visualized, at step 93 the lesion is targeted. Targeting the lesion involves identifying the coordinates of the lesion using image data, and converting the coordinates from the Cartesian coordinate system of the images to the angular coordinate system of the tilted biopsy assembly using conversion techniques known to those of skill in the art. According to one aspect of the invention, different images, or combinations of images, may be used for visualizing the lesion than are used for targeting the lesion. For example, assume that a scout image is initially used to ensure that the patient is in position, and a pair of stereotactic images are used to visualize the lesion. if the lesion is found in the scout image, but not in both stereo images, the scout may be used in combination with the stereotactic image in which the lesion is located to derive target location information. Therefore, as above, depending upon the capabilities of the x-ray imaging system, the lesion target coordinates may be derived using a scout image, a mammogram, acquired stereotactic images, acquired tomosynthesis projection images, tomosynthesis reconstructed images, or any combination thereof.

At step 94, once the target coordinates are derived the medical professional can being the biopsy procedure by pressing control buttons required to move the biopsy needle. FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary display and buttons of a control unit 25. The control unit includes a display 28 for displaying information related to the biopsy, such as information regarding needle size, distance to platform and paddle, needle coordinates, target coordinates, proximity to target and other related information. The control panel may also provide other helpful information to the user, such as warning indicators when the needle is too close to the breast platform, chest wall or skin line. As mentioned above, the warning indicators may be color coded or may provide other visual or audible indicators of undesirable conditions.

As mentioned above, in one embodiment the control unit also includes buttons (including button 27) positioned and arranged to allow single handed activation of the biopsy assembly while precluding accidental activation. In one embodiment, a pair of control buttons is provided, one on the front face of the control panel, and another on the back face of the control panel. Biopsy assembly movement may only be activated via simultaneous depression of both buttons. Other mechanisms for affirming operator intent may be substituted herein without affecting the scope of the invention.

According to one aspect of the invention, mechanical stops may be introduced into the biopsy path to stop automated needle movement at particular points along the path. For example, it may be desirable to switch to manual control of the needle movement, i.e, via knob 33 a or 33 b when the needle is within a desired range of the target. Or it may be desirable to provide a release brake for slow insertion of the needle into the breast. According to one embodiment, the number and location of mechanical stops is a programmable function which may be tailored to the individual preferences of a user of the system. Suffice it to say that numerous methods for mechanical advancement of the needle, including geared advancements, piston advancements, etc. are envisioned.

Returning now to FIG. 9, at step 95 once the needle has been advanced to the target coordinates, an image may be acquired to verify that, in fact, the needle is positioned at the lesion. As the biopsy needle is out of the view of the x-ray imaging system such image may be obtained without interference. At step 96, when it is verified that the needle is at the target, the tissue may be excised, and the biopsy is complete. Although not explicitly shown in the flow diagram, steps 95 and 96 may be repeated to verify excision of the entire lesion.

Accordingly a biopsy needle assembly has been shown and described. According to another aspect of the invention, a user interface of the acquisition workstation is advantageously augmented with needle biopsy control capabilities. An example of user interface features that may be added to an acquisition workstation for use with the needle biopsy assembly is shown in FIG. 11. The user interface includes menus and/or control buttons or icons which enable the radiologist to control the display and output of information gathered during the biopsy. Targeting tools 110 allow the user to review, modify and delete target information. Image source selectors 120 (including stereotactic, tomosynthesis, scout, mammography, etc.) allow the radiologist to select which images to use for visualization or targeting. Image view selectors 130 allow the radiologist to quickly pull up and view any of the images that may have been acquired during the biopsy. Any of the images may be pulled up in the image window 150. Other information related to the biopsy, such as the type of biopsy device, the relative distances between the target and the compression plate/platform, etc., may also be included on the acquisition workstation. It should be noted that although a particular arrangement of buttons and icons has been shown in the representative view of FIG. 11, the present invention is not limited to any particular representation of such information, and other forms of pull down menus, hyperlinks, icons, buttons, and windows are considered equivalents hereto.

Although the above embodiments have described and illustrated a needle biopsy assembly for obtaining cores when the needle is positioned in a general cranial caudal orientation over the breast, according to one aspect of the invention lateral access to the breast may be achieved through the attachment of a lateral biopsy arm. The ability to perform lateral biopsies is particularly important for patients with thin breasts, as compression may reduce the thickness of the breast to such a degree that the tissue excision port at the distal tip of the biopsy needle cannot be fully inserted into the tissue. FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate various views of an embodiment of the needle biopsy assembly of the present invention that has been augmented with a lateral biopsy arm 200. FIG. 12A is a straight on view of the augmented assembly, FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the augmented assembly while FIG. 12C is a side view of the augmented assembly. The lateral biopsy arm supports the biopsy needle along a line substantially parallel to the detector, thereby permitting lateral excision of breast tissue. In the embodiment of FIGS. 12A-12C, the lateral biopsy arm includes a holster mount plate 210 and a thumb wheel 220. Rotation of the thumb wheel 220 results in manual translation of the needle in the direction indicated generally as X in FIG. 12A. Although manual translation in the X plane is shown, it is appreciated that motorized translation may be achieved by extending control from the guidance module 19 to the holster plate 210.

Targeting of the lesion, which defines how far the needle should move in the X,Y and Z direction is always done assuming that the needle is in a cranial-caudal orientation. According to one aspect of the invention, an electrical connection on the holster mount mounts with a connector on the lateral biopsy arm when the lateral biopsy arm is coupled to the holster mount 13 to enable the guidance module 19 to adjust the guidance coordinate system as appropriate for proper lesion localization.

Accordingly a tilted needle biopsy assembly having numerous advantages has been shown and described. Because the biopsy needle is angled relative to at least one of the detector and the x-ray source, x-ray imaging may be performed during the biopsy procedure without interference by the biopsy device. In addition the angled biopsy needle allows improved access to the axilla and chest wall of the patient. The stereotactic biopsy device of the present invention may be coupled to any x-ray system, whether upright or prone, including but not limited to mammography systems, tomosynthesis systems, and combination mammography/tomosynthesis systems. The system flexibly supports the use of any mode of image capture (i.e., scout, two dimensional mammogram, three-dimensional reconstructed volume) for either or both target visualization and target localization. With such an arrangement, a needle biopsy assembly having improved patient coverage is provided for use with a variety of different x-ray imaging platforms.

Having described exemplary embodiments, it can be appreciated that the examples described above are only illustrative and that other examples also are encompassed within the scope of the appended claims. 

What we claim is:
 1. An upright x-ray mammography imaging system comprising: a gantry; an x-ray tube configured to rotate relative to the gantry over an angular range, wherein the x-ray tube emits x-rays within a field; an x-ray receptor configured to rotate relative to the gantry and disposed in a plane normal to the x-ray tube so as to receive the emitted x-rays; a compression platform connected to the gantry and encasing the x-ray receptor; a compression paddle spaced apart from each of the x-ray tube and the compression platform, wherein the compression paddle and the compression platform are configured to compress a breast of a patient, and wherein the compression paddle is releasably fittable onto the gantry; and a needle biopsy assembly releasably couplable to the gantry between the x-ray tube and the compression platform, wherein the needle biopsy assembly is removable from the gantry separate from the compression paddle, the needle biopsy assembly comprising: a first handle and a second handle, wherein at least one of the first handle and the second handle comprises a coupling mechanism to releasably couple the needle biopsy assembly to the gantry; a support structure extending between the first handle and the second handle; a fixed support arm coupled to the support structure; an angular support arm coupled to the fixed support arm, wherein the angular support arm extends at an angle offset from the plane of the x-ray receptor; a holster mount moveably coupled to the angular support arm; a biopsy device coupled to the holster mount wherein the holster mount is adapted to position the biopsy device proximate a target location, the biopsy device comprising a needle, wherein a portion of the needle is positionable so as to be disposed at the angle offset between the compression platform and the compression paddle to biopsy the compressed breast, and wherein when the needle biopsy assembly is coupled to the gantry, the holster mount and the biopsy device are positioned outside of the field of x-rays emitted by the x-ray tube so that image artifacts by the holster mount and the biopsy device are not formed in an x-ray image; and a needle support coupled to the angular support arm for stabilizing an end of the needle.
 2. The x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein x-ray image data acquired by the x-ray image system is used to determine coordinates of the target location for positioning the biopsy device.
 3. The x-ray imaging system of claim 2 wherein the x-ray image data comprises two dimensional image data.
 4. The x-ray imaging system of claim 3 wherein the two dimensional image data includes at least one of a scout image, a mammogram, a stereotactic image and a tomosynthesis projection image.
 5. The x-ray imaging system of claim 2 wherein the x-ray image data comprises three dimensional image data.
 6. The x-ray imaging system of claim 5 wherein the three dimensional image data includes stereotactic volume data and tomosynthesis reconstruction data.
 7. The x-ray imaging system of claim 2 wherein the x-ray image data comprises a combination of two dimensional and three dimensional image data.
 8. The x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein the holster mount is configured to be manually advanced along the angular support arm.
 9. The x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein the angle between the fixed support and the angular support arm is adjustable.
 10. The x-ray imaging system of claim 1 further comprising a control unit.
 11. The x-ray imaging system of claim 10 wherein the control unit includes a display for displaying information associated with a position of the biopsy device coupled to the angular support arm.
 12. The x-ray imaging system of claim 11 wherein the information includes information associated with a type of biopsy device coupled to the angular support arm.
 13. The x-ray imaging system of claim 1 further comprising a lateral biopsy arm, couplable to the assembly, for supporting a biopsy needle during lateral biopsies.
 14. The x-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein the needle is configured to be positioned in a cranial-caudal orientation over the breast. 